Lakers Ready

Division of Academic Affairs

November 25, 2024

Lakers Ready is sent by the Office of the Provost
to faculty and staff within the Division of Academic Affairs

In this issue of Lakers Ready:

A Note from the Provost

Dear Colleagues:

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible commitment and care you bring to one another and to our students. This time of year is especially demanding with the semester’s end in sight and much still to accomplish.

I encourage you to pause during the upcoming break to refuel and recharge. Whether that’s through sharing meaningful time with friends and loved ones, enjoying a walk in beautiful West Michigan, finding a moment of stillness, or simply allowing yourself some well-deserved rest, I hope you’ll take this opportunity to truly relax.

Thank you for all you do to make Grand Valley a community of learning and growth. I’m thankful for each of you and honored to work alongside you. Together, we will finish the semester strong.

Wishing you and yours a joyful Thanksgiving.

Jen

Updates

As Dr. Robert Smart prepares to step down from his position as Vice Provost for Research Administration and Executive Director, Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence at the end of June, we have an opportunity to strengthen our focus on transformational student learning especially around high-impact practices and experiential education. Beginning on July 1, 2025, three areas dedicated to empowering student learning - the Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement, Padnos International Center, and Civic Learning and Community Engagement - will transition their reporting structure to Dr. Christine Rener, Vice Provost for Instructional Development and Innovation and Director, Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center. Recognizing the expertise and experience within these units, the leaders in this group have been charged with developing a recommendation for a collaborative model that will shape the future of experiential education at GVSU, drawing on their collective strengths to bring this shared vision to life. Because we are at the beginning of this transition process, more information will be shared in the coming weeks, along with opportunities for faculty and staff to participate in discussions.

You're invited to attend an open faculty and staff meeting with the consultants from Isaacson Miller leading the search for the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and Executive Director, Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence. This an an opportunity for you to share the attributes that are needed in the next Vice Provost, as well as opportunities and challenges for the position. Open meetings are scheduled for:

RSVP online to receive the Zoom information. Additional details about the search are available on the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Search website.

Following up on the Provost’s message this week, faculty and staff are asked to participate in a survey with the purpose to gather their perspectives on collaborating with industry, assessing the value they place on these partnerships, their familiarity with university processes, and their awareness and suggestion of support for exploring, establishing, and maintaining industry partnerships. This survey is the beginning of a new NSF-funded project in collaboration with three other universities. The survey has been designed to take only 10 minutes, the results are anonymous, and of course, your participation is voluntary. To meet grant timelines for survey analysis, which informs a broader gap analysis, we would appreciate your survey response no later than December 13, 2024. Click here to complete the survey.

From Jenny Hall-Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs: As we are heading into the final weeks of the fall semester, it is important to let you know that the student ombuds’ office is temporarily closed. We have listed the most common issues students reach out to the office for and the resources that can help on both the website, and as automatic replies on the student ombuds’ email address. As expert navigators of campus resources, the Dean of Students’ Office or a CARE referral are always available to you.

To provide a better student experience, the Registrar's Office and colleagues in Academic Affairs worked together to make the spring/summer 2025 course schedule viewable in Banner beginning December 9. This is nearly two months earlier than in the past and will allow students extra time to make decisions about their educational plans for the spring/summer. Please encourage students to view the schedule and make plans now. Registration for 2025-26 will begin on March 17, 2025.

The fall issue of Grand Valley Magazine highlights the expansive reach of the College of Health Professions and the Kirkhof College of Nursing. Both colleges celebrate anniversaries this year. The issue also celebrates President Mantella's fifth anniversary and previews the Laker women's wrestling team.

The next cohort of Leading Lakers: Activate, a Leadership Development Program, will take place on February 26 and March 5. Pods will meet once a month from March-August 2025 based on their own availability. Participation in both days of programming, as well as the monthly accountability pods, is required for completion of the Activate program. Learn more about the program or submit your interest form by January 31 on the Human Resources website.

Nominations are open for the 2025-2026 Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy (CLA) cohort. Nominate GVSU students to apply for the CLA, a competitive, co-curricular, and cross-disciplinary leadership development program. Nominees can be from any academic major or year. They must be in good academic standing, demonstrate involvement in the campus community, and be dedicated to leading, personal growth, and furthering public good. Visit the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies website to nominate students.

Engaged Scholarship

Adrienne Wallace, Associate Professor of Communications, was a editor of Strategic Social Media as Activism Repression, Resistance, Rebellion, Reform. Drawing on a range of theoretical and empirical perspectives, this volume examines the roles strategic communications play in creating social media messaging campaigns designed to engage in digital activism. Click here to learn more about this book.

Congratulations to Amy Matthews, Professor of Psychology, on an award from the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education, to support the Autism Education Center / START Project. With $2,250,000 annually, this project will continue to develop and disseminate evidence-based training and resources to support school staff, families, and community partners in the education and inclusion of autistic and other neurodivergent students.

Events

The President's Holiday Gathering will take place on December 5, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with festive food and desserts among friends and colleagues. RSVP by November 25.

Join fellow Lakers on December 5, 3:00 p.m., Cook Carillon Tower, Allendale Campus as we celebrate its 30th Anniversary with the last concert of the Fall Concert Series. This 45-minute concert will demonstrate the magnificence of this instrument, which also serves as an iconic landmark on the Allendale campus. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to enjoy the bells of the carillon. Hot cocoa and cookies will be available while supplies last!

The 29th Annual Student Scholars Day celebration will feature Dr. Shobita Parthasarathy, Director of the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program at the University of Michigan. Dr. Parthasarathy's research explores how innovation and innovation policy can promote social equity and justice. Her work examines the impact of emerging technologies on society. This lecture will take place on April 8, 4:00-5:30 p.m., 2204 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Learn more about SSD 2025 on the website.

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events
12/2 - Toast to the Class of 2024 - 6:30 p.m., L.V. Eberhard Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
12/5 - Cook Carillon Tower Holiday Concert - 3:00 p.m., Carillon Tower,
Allendale Campus
12/5 - President's Holiday Gathering - 3:30 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
1/10 - GVSU Assessment Conference - 8:30 a.m., Eberhard Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
4/8 - Student Scholars Day Keynote - 4:00 p.m., 2204 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus

Dates
11/27-12/1 - Thanksgiving Recess
12/7 - Commencement
12/7-14 - Examination Week

Links
Lakers Ready - repository of this newsletter and a link to submit content
Laker Family Network - repository of the monthly newsletter sent by the Division of Student Affairs to GVSU parents/supporters

Lakers Ready will be distributed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.